Spending too much time out in the sun without adequate protection is never a good idea. In order to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays you should always use a sunscreen with the desired level of SPF. Sometimes, however, being in the ocean or a pool for long periods of time can make some sunscreen less effective. The Walgreens After Sun Care selection has an assortment of products ranging from cooling Aloe Vera to Hydro Gel Sheets. Both products aim to help alleviate the often painful side effects of a sunburn. READ MORE ABOUT AFTER SUN CARE ›

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Caring For Your Sunburn

Often, you will know you have made the mistake of staying outside too long when your skin starts to tingle and you begin to see signs of reddening. Go inside immediately and take a cool bath or shower. By cooling down your skin, you may be able to keep your burn from getting worse. Next, you should thoroughly apply a moisturizer to soothe and rehydrate your skin. Your body in general tends to lose a lot of moisture when you have been outside in the sun, so you should also drink plenty of water in order to avoid dehydration.

In the days that follow a sunburn, you will likely experience common symptoms like pain, itching, and peeling. Certain products, such as those that contain aloe, are very effective at relieving the pain associated with sunburn. Walgreens has a wide selection of gels and lotions that contain aloe and other burn relievers, and you will want to apply these liberally in the days immediately following your burn. You may also be able treat pain with over-the-counter medicines such as ibuprofen with your doctor's approval.

Some particularly nasty burns will form blisters, which can understandably be a little scary. Just leave them alone and don't rub, scratch, or pop the blisters, as doing so can lead to infection. You should consult your doctor if you develop blisters or any other sign that your burn isn't mild. You should also be on the lookout for symptoms of dehydration (such as headache, dizziness, and decreased urination). Sunburn can be a true medical emergency and seeing a doctor is always the most prudent thing one can do.

While there is nothing you can do to prevent the sun exposure you've already gotten, you should do everything you can to avoid burns in the future. Always wear sunscreen whenever you plan to be outside for an extended period of time. It's possible to get sunburned even on cloudy days, so you are never completely immune. You should also protect your eyes and face by making a habit of wearing a hat and/or sunglasses. Sun damage is nothing to mess around with, and repeated burns can significantly increase your risk of skin cancer. Precaution is the only way to adequately protect yourself.

Sunburns tend to be their own form of punishment with the discomfort they can cause. Luckily, with the After Sun Care Products available from Walgreens, you can help to address some of the issues associated with sunburn and potentially limit the after effects of the burn on your skin. BACK TO TOP ›